Dear Friends,

With more than 100,000 dead, more than 1 million homeless on the streets, and up to 80 percent of buildings in Port-au-Prince destroyed, the need is still dire. And significant aftershocks still continue.

But the good news is that aid is finally starting to get in to Haiti. And we are working with a team of 400 people on the ground to provide immediate access to water, food and shelter.

LWR has pledged $1 million to overall relief work in Haiti and has committed an initial $150,000 to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) to deliver water containers and purification materials, as well as temporary shelter items. We anticipate that we will need more than $1 million to assist those in need in Haiti, thus we will revaluate that pledge as the need and fundraising increase.

LWR is providing these immediate services though our partnerships with LWF, Catholic Relief Services, local partners in Haiti, and other international faith-based organizations. And we’re also preparing a long-term response to help the people of Haiti rebuild their lives.

How can you help? You can make a gift online to help LWR and our partners with these critical relief efforts. Or you can make a $10 donation NOW by texting LWR to 40579 (use this number in the “to” field).

You can also make quilts and health kits . There is an urgent need for these materials. We are dispatching them from our warehouses, and first shipments will leave in the next three days.

We are working around the clock to ensure we have the most up-to-date information possible. Please check back with us at lwr.org/Haiti for updates.

Thank you for your quick and compassionate response to this devastating situation.

In Christ,

John A. Nunes
President and CEO
Lutheran World Relief